The STAR-K Mikvah of Ranchleigh Construction is Underway! (2 Videos & Photo Essay)

By Star-K/Margie Pensak
Posted on 12/27/21

Baltimore, MD - Dec. 27, 2021 - The Ranchleigh neighborhood, although less than a square mile in size, has rapidly mushroomed from a development of approximately 15 homes built in 1954 to one of the most concentrated orthodox Jewish areas in Baltimore. Its swift growth has necessitated a branch of the Mikvah of Baltimore to be built within proximity of the neighborhood for Friday and Yom Tov evening use.

It took quite a while just to get plans off the ground, but on a beautiful unseasonably warm fall day - Thursday, November 18 - the boros were poured in the presence of local community Rabbonim and members.

 

Mikvah of Baltimore President Eliezer Abramson mentions, “The entire Vaad Harabbonim was invited to the pouring. Since this is a community mikvah, we felt the community should be represented by the Rabbonim, and there was a large showing, including HaRav Moshe Heinemann, HaRav Yaakov Hopfer and HaRav Yosef Berger, who comprise the Vaad Harabbonim of the Mikvah.”

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the facility – located at the corner of Baythorne Road and Smith Avenue - is expected to be completed in approximately eight months by Gold Star Construction. The house which had stood on the property was demolished.

Planning for the STAR-K Ranchleigh Mikvah started about five years ago, explains Mikvah of Baltimore board member, Mrs. Rochel Rochkind. “When we started the upgrading and modernizing renovations on the Clark’s Lane facility, we also made a commitment to build a mikvah in Ranchleigh, which has expanded greatly between Pimlico Road and the Smith Avenue Bais Yaakov campus, and includes the densely populated Beazer Homes and the growing community of Summit Park. It will be built with the same standards as – and under the auspices of - the Clarks Lane mikvah, with HaRav Moshe Heinemann, shlit”a, as its Rav Hamachshir. We are excitedly looking forward to building in Ranchleigh.”

Estie Froehlich, a board member and President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the Mikvah of Baltimore, concludes, “We are very excited about the building of the STAR-K Mikvah which will  service the Ranchleigh community in a comfortable and dignified way.”

STAR-K President, Dr. Avrom Pollak, concurs. “The Mikvah of Baltimore felt it was important to accommodate the entire community and approached us for a grant. We are happy to be part of this very important project.”


Mikvah of Baltimore board member Shlomo Rosenbaum adds, “It is a tremendous zechus to be a part of this mitzvah. The siyata dishmaya has been evident at various stages of this project. I appreciate the support of the Rabbonim and the community in getting the project to this point. We will continue to need community support to bring the project to its completion.”

To have a share in the mitzvah of building the Ranchleigh Mikvah, donate by visiting: http://www.mikvahofbaltimore.org/donate.html